Poison

by J P Anderson

  "Oh, can I borrow your car then?" Acruz asked smiling.

  "Hey why can you hit people but I can't fight with Acruz?" Alister asked pouting.

  "Because Paige is special like that" Gen answered smiling at him.

  "Can you even drive Acruz?" she asked him.

  "No," he said in more of a laugh, "but I didn't kill anyone, so I count that as a win."

  "Amazing, dip those standards so low that just not killing anyone is a major accomplishment." Alister spat.

  "Alister, be nice." Paige ordered. He threw down his non-chicken.

  "Sorry, meal over. I can be as mean to this dirt bag as I want!" Alister yelled.

  "Alister calm down," Gen said touching his shoulder.

  "Listen to your girlfriend Alister; she's got some good advice for you!" Acruz warned.

  "If this meal is over then I have to get back to the door." Acruz said getting up.

  "Why? Don't you have people to guard it twenty four seven?" Paige inquired.

  "Obviously not," he said looking at Gen.

  "Goodbye old friend" he said never taking his eyes off her but bowing to the grave and simultaneous disengaging into silver dust blowing into the autumn wind.

  "I, uh, have to go too," Paige said out of nowhere.

  "Love ya old girl," she said lovingly, curtsying and blowing away with a warm wind.

  "I'm going in to rest, you coming?" Gen asked

  "No, I am going sit with her a while." he answered. He sounded tired, staring at Alison's grave.

  "Okay. Suit yourself." she said closing her eyes trying to thing of the perfect way to teleport.

  She put one arm bent across her shoulder and the other on top of it and bobbed her head like the girl from 'I dream a Jennie' and she was in her room. Totally awesome, I don't even care, that was freaking amazing.

  Chapter 14: Peter

  After the unorthodox picnic in the cemetery Gen found herself sitting at her new found mahogany bed reading on of her favorite books, Pride and Prejudice. She lied on her bed, drowsily flipping the pages when three armed men in black cloaks, hoods up, came through the door and stood in attention as Acruz walked in looking around the room curiously with a wry smile on his face. He had changed his cloths, since last she saw him. He now wore a white billowy blouse tucked into black trousers and black boots. He wore a cape as well but his was white and his hood wasn't up. It would probably mess up his hair, she thought. Behind him where two more guards, but these ones where dragging a beaten up and bloody man, about her age. His head hung, so she could not see his face but from the looks of him, he was hurt pretty badly.

  "Huh, I didn't get this nice a view." he commented mostly to himself still looking around the room, even going so far as to go to her desk and stroke the typewriter. In that moment she saw something in Acruz she had yet to see. A sentimental moment, as his ran his fingers over the keys and traced a makeshift engraving of AB on the side. An in a moment he clicked back to his old mocking self and turned to her.

  "You know for someone that has been arranged to marry my sister you sure spend quite a bit of your time trying to find ways to talk to me." Gen lashed. She was in no mood for company, especially not company that was bringing any kind of bad news.

  "Don't flatter yourself Gene- Miss. Grave." He tried to look as nice and formal as possible. That scoundrel, although she found herself strangely flattered he had almost used her first name in front of other people. It is one thing to call someone by their first name in the presence of no one and quite another to call on someone informally with witnesses.

  "I wouldn't dream." she assured with a smirk.

  "I actually came here to ask you if this," He stepped to one side so she could finally see the man's face. It took all she had to hold in a gasp.

  "Man is bonded to you in any way before he is killed for trespassing." The man was beaten, severely, with blood running down his face and staining his white shirt, his head was down, red hair falling over his face. She would have said no until the sparkle of his ring caught her eye. The ring was bedazzled with red rubies and had 'P' in Grey stones in the middle. Those are the colors from my high school, she thought.

  "Dear God, Pete!" She fell to her knees beside him as one of the guards grabbed his hair and brought up his head.

  "Genny baby?" he asked. "Is that you?" his voice more fragile than she had heard it in years, which was not a good sign of his condition.

  "How scandalous." Acruz cooed. His smile reminded her a little too much of the chesher cat.

  "Pete, are you okay?" she asked, stroking the side of his face, which had a cut down the side.

  "Gen I need an answer, although it seems obvious you have," Acruz looked from Gen to Pete, "met before." Acruz hissed.

  "Yes we have, although I can't see how that's any of your business." she stroked his hair from his face. Licking her finger, she wiped the blood from his cuts and dusted off his shirt.

  "Who is this guy?" Pete was only half conscious. He was probably beaten apart so she didn't blame him.

  "Acruz Deveartae, your worst nightmare," she couldn't hold back laughter.

  "That is too cheesy for words..." she threw her head back still laughing.

  "Are you trying to tell me that that does not strike the fear into you?" he asked his eyes flaring with anger.

  "That wouldn't strike the fear into a kitten." Genevieve joked.

  "As if your opinion mattered to me" he scoffed. That hurt, she didn't know why it hurt. She did know, however, that she did not want him in her room anymore.

  "Goodbye Mr. Deveartae." she bowed her head slightly and the turned away from him.

  "Goodbye Gen." he said with a strange smile she had never seen him use and left.

  "Well you're mighty relaxed with that shady character that totally just beat the crap outta me!" Peter, even in the face of serious injuries harbored the energy to yell.

  "Hardly," Gen shook off, getting the water from her nightstand and a cloth and patting his wounds.

  "He called you Gen," He was right, he had called her Gen. She wonder why he would do such a thing, actually the entire encounter through her off.

  "That doesn't mean anything." she lied, that actually meant a great deal here. She got him up onto her bed and sat beside him.

  "Mind telling me where the hell I am babe?" Peter asked trying to sit up but wincing and laid back.

  "Um, that's a funny story actually." she rambled.

  "And for that matter, what are you wearing?" he asked as she patted his forehead with the cloth.

  "About that" she started.

  "Where is Ashton Kutcher? I know I'm on Punk'd!" he yelled, looking about the room.

  "You are not being Punk'd. This is Akadia. This is my home, this is where my family lives, and I'm dressed this way because, well it's because I'm a, a-" This is where it is going to start getting unbelievable.

  "Princess" Alister finished. He came in and awkwardly stood next to Genevieve.

  "Who the hell are you? The help?" Peter accused.

  "Oh...Selene! I don't even look like a freaking servant. I wear suits, why does everyone assume that I'm a servant! Selene, you know I'm really starting to get pissed." Alister ranted.

  "Go away Jude Law wannabe. I'm talking to my girlfriend," Peter shouted.

  "Oh your girlfriend, who the hell is this loser?" Alister questioned

  "My ex-boyfriend, friend, thing, Peter Gallagher" she stumbled over the correct term, per usual.

  "So he is human," Alister assessed.

  "Isn't everyone?" Peter said with his very best 'duh' face. Alister tucked back his hair exposing his pointed ears. Pete sat back.

  "Those are fake." Peter accused. Alister rolled up the cuff of his shirt and took out his knife. He looked from his arm to Genevieve and grinned. She shook her head.

  "Don't you dare cut yourself Alister." she yelled. He shrugged.

  "As you wish" he cut her face, a long beautifully straight gash dripping blood down her cheek. Pe
ter gasped, struggling to stand.

  "Come here you little-" he grabbed at Alister throat, Alister pointed to Genevieve. Peter reluctantly turned to look at her. She sat in horror as her cut sealed and the remaining blood leaked out and down her cheek and dripped on Peter's hand.

  "Holy shit. Where did you say we were Gen?" Peter asked, as if out of breath.

  "Akadia"

  "Where's that?" Peter asked scratching the back of his head.

  "It's sort of like the second star to the right bit. You can hardly see it from Earth with the naked eye." Alister said trying to look cool for some strange reason.

  "I walked to a door and was brutally beat up for no reason." Alister laughed and almost fell to the ground.

  "Who beat you up? Did he have white hair?" Alister said holding his side and giggling every third word.

  "Yeah," Peter answered apprehensively. Alister snorted, his booming laughter echoing throughout the room and out through the hall.

  "Why's that funny that I got beat up?" Peter yelled.

  "Because you were beat up by an old man!" he said and started laughing again.

  "He's not that old." she argued for some reason finding the need to defend him.

  "He's forty one." Alister choked.

  "Well he looked twenty to me!" Peter argued.

  "He's a wizard, he ages with leisure." Alister instructed them.

  "Ha, I've never heard it put that way." Gen added.

  "Are you an elf?" Pete asked, completely off topic and somewhat inappropriate, like most things he says.

  "Why yes I am." Alister answered with pride.

  "And that man was a wizard." Peter asked, piecing together the parts.

  "Yes." Alister answered.

  "What are you Genevieve?" She looked at Alister with a questioning look on her face.

  "I don't know." she admitted.

  "She is a half witch half human." Alister told her.

  "I never knew my father was a wizard."

  "Yes, all people here that aren't a "magical creature" are considered Wizards. But we like to call them Akadian's...only people from Ranicus are called witches." She laughed for no conventional reason. When she looked at Pete he didn't look so good.

  "Come on Pete let me get you to a room, you look tired." he nodded. He looked as if he could pass out at any moment.

  "Alister" she turned to him. Peter fell backwards, out cold.

  "Yes." he answered, leaning in.

  "Thank you for being so wonderful." she kissed him tenderly.

  "Isn't that a pretty little sight?" Acruz said walking in.

  "Acruz!" she gasped, flustered, pushing Alister's hand off her knee and straightening her dress. She didn't have a clue why she cared what he thought but she fixed her hair never the less.

  So in my room at this very moment is all three guys I have ever had feelings for, an unconscious, delusional Peter Gallagher, a flustered, rejected, maybe even angry Alister Grey, and a mysterious, remorseful, pigheaded, murderer also known as Acruz, Deveartae. He didn't look his usual smug self. He looked distraught or even, jealous. No it's probably just the lights. I refuse to believe that Acruz is jealous of anything. Or you refuse to let yourself believe that, my inner voice rebutted. Watch it psychopath, I don't have to talk to myself, Gen told herself. And exactly who are you going to talk to? It's not like you have friends, her inner voice argued. She held up her metaphorical pointer finger to retort something witty but her evil side sort of had a legitimate point. I hate when I'm right.

  "Genevieve, I need to speak with you." Acruz said staring into her eyes with a sincere look that made her change her answer from an angry "hell no" to a most alluring "sure".

  "Go ahead," Alister dared. Boys will be boys. She heaved a great metaphorical sigh.

  "Alone," he hissed giving Alister a hateful look.

  "Alister," she warned. He still didn't leave, he simply went to hold her hand, but she did not take his, she merely said, "It will only take a moment." He looked hurt, well more angry than hurt but Gen liked to think it was just because he was hurt on the inside. He left but scowled at Acruz when they met at the door. As soon as Alister left Acruz shut the door, and she immediately felt like ralphing. He walked over and sat next to her on the bed so awkwardly she almost stood to save them from the ten minute interlude of him trying to sit far enough away from her not to touch her by accident but close enough so they wouldn't have to shout. Her face must have looked hilarious, she thought, such a look of confusion and queasiness must have been quite a scene.

  "I did not kill your mother." Add shock to the list of her facial expressions.

  "What?" Is all she could force herself to stutter?

  "I was framed, shunned for years, hated by all. I became bitter, and my best friends thought I was a murder," he explained his face a little too ravenous for her taste, she leaned away from him.

  "But you showed me when my mother died and you were the one doing to killing," she stated. Goodness this guy has crazy mood swings, one second he's all on the crazy train the next he's swearing on his mum he wouldn't hurt a fly. He's a walking riddle. I detest riddles.

  "I've been trying to get you to leave. I have been having visions that if you stay here horrible things will happen." he ranted.

  "What kind of horrible things." she asked, for some strange reason entranced with this side of Acruz. It's like he's only normal to me when he's going insane. Okay that proves it, I'm coo coo. And it's not for coco puffs.

  "Someone will be killed if you do not leave." Acruz answered gravely.

  Someone screamed behind her.

  "Peter! Jesus Christ, I thought you were passed out."

  "Get off my girlfriend!" Peter yelled as if talking to a dream. Acruz is so far from me, she thought, he couldn't possibly be talking about Acruz needing to get off me.

  "I'm not your girlfriend Peter!" she yelled. The boy needs to stop claiming me like a dog unless he wants to be fed to the dogs.

  "Oh for love of Elisabeth!" Acruz yelled, obviously annoyed. He pointed at Peter and he immediately fell to his side, out cold.

  "Anyhow, you have to leave. I fear that I am turning into a man I swore I would never be." Acruz went from normal person to cryptic jerk in less the one sentence. There needs to be a round of applause, a slow clap, no takers, shame, it was the perfect moment.

  "You choose who you are, and you have been a 'murder' for eighteen year, what's different now." she asked. The look he gave her then wasn't open to interpretation, the message was crystal clear. She stared at him and then tried to refocus on something that didn't make her magically uncomfortable. She motion to Peter.

  "Um, help me with his feet." She held his head and arms and looked up at Acruz. He looked at her with a mixture of disgust and annoyance, as if the thought of manual labor made him want to vomit. He heaved a dramatic sigh and grabbed Peter's feet. They walked awkwardly down the hall.

  "Here" he said and grabbed Peter like he was an apple and wrapped his hand over his shoulder.

  "I don't want you to have to carry anything," he said with the least amount of sweetness he had ever portrayed. She supposed it was too hard to be sweet and act like it too.

  "The country and my sister's fate is enough for me." she said scowling at him.

  "I have nothing to do with that," Acruz commented, opening the door with the tips of his fingers, juggling Peter so the he didn't have to put him down. Genevieve just stood there, tapping her foot, arms crossed. He smiled and shook his head and headed into the dark bedroom.

  "If you hadn't chased my mom to Earth, even if you didn't kill her, it was your fault in the long run." he stopped. He looked irate, he threw Peter on the bed with no more effort than if you where throwing your jacket in your room as you pass it. He started to storm towards her, she matched his strides backwards, away from him until she hit the frame of the door and he towered over her outwardly curved body.

  "You listen to me, and listen good! I loved your mother like a sister,
nothing more, me and Alister only wanted what was best for her. Your father used her and threw her aside with no more than second glance. He pushed her to leave. We begged her to stay and we tried to save her, but I was too late, and it was me who was blamed for a murder that I would never commit." he moved his up to her chin and brought her head up so that she was looking him in the eyes, what she had been trying to avoid. She bit her lip as the tingle went down her spine and then her heart just lifted, she didn't feel weighed down. She got on her tip toes so she was inches from his face, which was looking down on her.